India was recently given the STA-1 status to India, which elevates India to the status of NATO allies in terms of the scope in trade and defense and technology cooperation between India and US. This will have huge implications for India and thus needs to be discussed.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to write in detail about the STA-1 status accorded to India by the US. It wants us to express our opinion on whether this will ensure a greater supply chain efficiency, both for defence, and for other high-tech products.

Directive word

Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Structure of the answer

Introduction– Write a few lines about the trade volume between India and US and mention that STA-1 status recently given to India reflects India’s status as a major defence partner and elevates India’s status as a trading partner to equal that US has accorded largely to its Nato allies.

Body-

Discuss the implications for India in terms of how supply chain efficiency for defence and other high tech products will be affected. E.g it will reduce the number of licences needed for US exports to India, means India can get easy access to the latest defence technologies; could also mean a leg-up for the foundational COMCASA agreement; Communications,which is one of the three agreements that the US has with its closest military allies, and will allow the installation of high-security US communication equipment on defence equipment being sold to India, thereby facilitating interoperability etc.

Conclusion– Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the issue.